Flow properties of high throughput nonwoven membranes

High-value therapeutic proteins are remarkably complex and expensive to manufacture, so there is a strong interest in increasing the efficiency of downstream purification and reducing production costs. In this context, this study involves the creation of new type of disposable membrane chromatography support using commercially available nonwoven polybutyleneterephthalate (PBT) membranes. PBT was grafted with UV irradiation and then chemically modified to create weak anion exchange membranes, strong anion exchange membranes, and salt tolerant anion and cation exchange membranes. The surface of the membranes was characterized through SEM images and the fiber diameter was calculated. Permeability tests were performed to inspect the flow properties of the materials, and permeability values were found to decrease with increasing ionic strength of the buffers. Finally, the ability to bind model proteins was examined and it was found to depend on the type of functionalization and the amount of chemical groups attached to the membrane surface.